Three more babies died from whooping cough during October

Three more babies died from whooping cough in October, as the current surge in cases this year continues to rise.

The number of cases of whooping cough will rise and fall in three to four year cycles.

But this year, the total number of cases reported in England and Wales so far, is nearly ten times higher than the last ‘peak’ year.

There have been 7,728 confirmed cases of whooping cough, but the true number may be even higher as not all cases may have been reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA)

The last peak year was 2008 with a total of 797 cases reported.

Babies are particularly vulnerable to severe complications and death but do not get their first immunisation until four months.

So far, there have been 13 infant deaths this year. This prompted the Department of Health (DOH) in September to offer pregnant women  a whooping cough vaccination to protect their newborn babies in the short term.

Whooping cough is also known as pertussis and is a very infection disease passed from person to person by coughing and sneezing.

Early symptoms are similar to the common cold, but gradually, this progresses to fits of coughing and even vomiting. The whooping noise comes from the sound made when people try to catch their breath.

The pause between the end of a bout of coughing and breathing in again can be delayed by up to 20 seconds. This is very dangerous for infants because sometimes they do not start breathing again.

Consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the HPA, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam says: “We strongly recommend all pregnant women take up the offer of vaccination.

Parents should also ensure their children are vaccinated against whooping cough on  time, even babies of women who’ve had the vaccine in pregnancy – this is to continue their baby’s protection through childhood. Parents should also be alert to  the signs and symptoms of whooping cough – which include severe coughing fits  accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound in young children but as a  prolonged cough in older children or adults. It is also advisable to keep babies away  from older siblings or adults who have the infection.”

The South East has the highest number of cases with 1,478 reported. The South West follows closely behind with 1, 244.